US ethanol faces misinformation, budget-cutting Congress - RFA

21 February 2011 17:00[Source: ICIS news]

PHOENIX, Arizona (ICIS)--The US ethanol industry faces challenges this year ranging from misinformation prompted by industry foes to a Congress that is focused like a “laser beam” on budget cuts, the chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) said on Monday.

Speaking at the 2011 National Ethanol Conference, RFA chairman Chuck Woodside said the ethanol industry faces opponents “willing to go to any length to tarnish the image” of the industry.

The RFA has allowed the industry to “fight back against unfounded assertions, refuting the misinformation” of industry opponents, Woodside said.

At the same time, the industry must work with a Congress that is honed in on ways to cut the federal budget, as well as federal and state regulations that threaten to block markets, Woodside said.

The industry is focused on building new markets and demand, Woodside said, pointing to the example of E85 ethanol pumps being installed in high population areas.